After years of being raped, beaten and confined to a closet by her parents, Lauren Kavanaugh, now 21, has rebuilt her life. Lauren, who lives...

After years of being raped, beaten and confined to a closet by her parents, Lauren Kavanaugh, now 21, has rebuilt her life.

Lauren, who lives in Athens, Texas, has graduated from high school and is now attending community college where she studies psychology so she can help victims of abuse like herself.

As a baby, Lauren was adopted by Sabrina and Bill Kavanaugh, but due to a legal error, Lauren’s biological mother, Barbara Atkinson, and stepfather, Kenny Atkinson, were able to take custody of her.

When Lauren was 3 years old, her mother forced her into a 4-foot-by-9-foot closet without food or water. She was later raped and shoved back into the closet. “From then on, it became my new home,” she said. “The carpet was drenched in urine, and I lay under a thin, wet blanket.”

When Lauren was pulled from the tiny cupboard at her mother’s home in Dallas, Texas, in 2001, she was eight but weighed 25.6 pounds (1st 8lbs), the same as the average two-year-old and was potbellied with malnutrition

Lauren’s mother Barbara Atkinson and stepfather Kenny Atkinson were convicted of felony injury to a child in 2002 and jailed for life, not eligible for parole until 2031.

Lauren was routinely starved and beaten. “… When I was 6, [my mother] put a bowl of macaroni cheese in front of me – she told me I could chew it but then had to spit it out,” she said. Lauren was also burnt with cigarettes and had her head shoved underwater. “I was weak from hunger and was tied down so I couldn’t fight back,” she said.

When Lauren was rescued in 2001, she was so malnourished she had to be given food with a technique used for holocaust victims. At 8 years old, she weighed a mere 25.6 pounds.

Lauren was forced to live in a 4ft x 9ft closet for five years. She also had to use the space as her bathroom

The carpet was drenched in urine and her only comfort was a thin blanket

Lauren was re-adopted by the Kavanaughs, but her transition into a healthy childhood was difficult and fraught with violent outbursts and behavioral issues.

After being placed in an alternative school and receiving residential therapy, Lauren got her life on track. She has since transitioned off of her medications for depression and bipolar disorder and plans on transferring to a university next year.

“My dream now is to qualify as a counselor,” she said. “I really want to help victims like me to overcome their abuse and be strong. I’ve been in their shoes and come out the other side.”

Henry Okafor

This is so cruel. Who does this to their own child. If you don’t want kids then don’t bring them into this world rather then give birth to them & make their lives a living hell. So sad & I hope this baby is taken cared of by someone who will truly love her

Shit this makes me cry I can’t believe their is a cruel parents like that.
Tsk , what the fuck ?
Like they shouldnt make a baby if they cant take care of it tsk
Babies is beautiful!
Babies chance lifes
Many people want to have a baby
And wow you guys just tortured your own baby? Like wtf , i wish you cant get a parol ????

This is just sad that any parent would even think about putting there child through anything like this , I am so happy that she got saved and got to live a better life and I hope and pray that she makes it to help others that have been through this to live there life too

As a parent I couldn’t even imagine my child fearing me like this. How can you do so much to bring a life into this world and treat it is if she was not apart of you. This is so sad. I pray for so many blessings to this young woman! May your life be filled with health, wealth, peace and your freedom!

I don’t understand how a person could do a harmless child like this . IF you don’t want too do right by your child give them up cause its plenty of people who loves & wants kids but can’t have them . Stuff like this makes me so sad that it sick people in our world like this .

This is so sad and devistating!!For any parent to mistreat there child is a disgrace. Children are a blessing. I would never mistreat my child because he wasn’t asked to be here! Kids need to be loved, and give them kisses and hugs on a daily basis. They were not put on earth to be abused. Bless her and may god continue to be with her and guide her in the right path.